How to Deal with Tooth Sensitivity

Do you feel a sharp pain when you eat or drink something extremely hot, or an extremely cold item? Are you experiencing discomfort when you suck in air through your teeth? You may have teeth sensitivity if you feel these uncomfortable symptoms. Your teeth become sensitive when the inner portion (dentin) becomes exposed, either through gum recession or through tooth enamel erosion. When the dentin is exposed, the nerve underneath becomes extremely sensitive to changes in temperature – thus the discomfort you feel.

There are a few things you can do at home to deal with tooth sensitivity. When you brush your teeth, make sure that you do so using gentle strokes; vigorous tooth brushing can harm your tooth enamel even more. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to gently clean your teeth, along with toothpaste for sensitive teeth that can help soothe the discomfort brought by sensitivity.

Your dentist can provide you with a more lasting solution for your sensitive teeth problems. If the problem is due to a cavity or tooth damage, the corresponding treatment (such as a dental filling or dental crown) will be done to give you long-lasting pain relief and to protect your teeth. Fluoride treatments are used to strengthen the dentin and enamel to prevent tooth sensitivity problems from progressing. The surface of the dentin can also be sealed using a bonding agent, which protects the sensitive dentin from stimuli that causes the discomfort.